Dynamic Hotword Designation for Voice Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice command systems require users to explicitly use a hotword to activate the system, which can be inconvenient and unnatural, especially in environments where background noise or other sounds are present, leading to unnecessary computational processing and potential misinterpretation of commands.
Innovation Solution
Designating certain voice commands as hotwords based on predetermined criteria such as frequency of use, acoustic features, and phonetic suitability, allowing the system to recognize and respond to these commands without the need for an explicit hotword, thereby reducing unnecessary processing and improving user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the system requires an explicit hotword to activate voice commands, then the system can avoid unnecessary computational processing on background noise, but the user experience becomes less convenient and more unnatural
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the hotword requirement flexible rather than static. The system dynamically determines whether to require a hotword based on the characteristics of the detected voice command. Frequently used commands and those with high confidence scores can be executed without a hotword, while less common commands still require hotword activation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing both user convenience and computational efficiency based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of hotword requirement from a fixed binary state (always required) to a variable state based on multiple factors including command frequency, acoustic confidence, and contextual relevance. By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the system achieves better user experience for common commands while maintaining energy efficiency for less certain inputs.
2Reliability
If the system processes all voice inputs without hotword filtering, then the system can recognize commands in noisy environments, but the computational processing becomes unnecessarily expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing computational processing selectively rather than uniformly on all inputs. The system performs full semantic interpretation only when necessary (when a hotword is detected or when confidence thresholds are met), while using lighter-weight acoustic matching for preliminary filtering. This partial processing approach maintains reliability for important commands while reducing overall computational overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by having the acoustic model itself provide filtering functionality. The acoustic confidence scores and feature matching performed by the voice recognition system are used to automatically determine which inputs warrant full processing, eliminating the need for external hotword filtering and enabling intelligent resource allocation based on input quality.
3Speed
If the system designates more voice commands as hotwords, then the system can respond faster without explicit activation, but the system may misinterpret background noise as commands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing acoustic feature extraction and confidence scoring before full command interpretation. The system preliminarily evaluates each detected speech segment using acoustic models to assess whether it resembles a designated hotword or common command, only proceeding to full processing when confidence thresholds are met. This preliminary filtering enables fast response for clear commands while preventing false interpretation of background noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical hotword matching approach with an acoustic-based probabilistic system. Instead of requiring exact hotword matches, the system uses acoustic feature analysis and confidence scoring to determine whether detected speech represents a valid command. This substitution enables faster, more natural response while maintaining reliability through statistical confidence measures rather than rigid pattern matching.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for designating certain voice commands as hotwords. The methods, systems, and apparatus include actions of receiving a hotword followed by a voice command. Additional actions include determining that the voice command satisfies one or more predetermined criteria associated with designating the voice command as a hotword, where a voice command that is designated as a hotword is treated as a voice input regardless of whether the voice command is preceded by another hotword. Further actions include, in response to determining that the voice command satisfies one or more predetermined criteria associated with designating the voice command as a hotword, designating the voice command as a hotword.